عَسَىٰ رَبُّهُۥٓ إِن طَلَّقَكُنَّ أَن يُبْدِلَهُۥٓ أَزْوَٰجًا خَيْرًا مِّنكُنَّ مُسْلِمَـٰتٍ مُّؤْمِنَـٰتٍ قَـٰنِتَـٰتٍ تَـٰٓئِبَـٰتٍ عَـٰبِدَٰتٍ سَـٰٓئِحَـٰتٍ ثَيِّبَـٰتٍ وَأَبْكَارًا 5
Translations
Perhaps his Lord, if he divorced you [all], would substitute for him wives better than you - submitting [to Allāh], believing, devoutly obedient, repentant, worshipping, and traveling - [ones] previously married and virgins.
Transliteration
Asa rabbuhu in tallaqakunna an yubdilahu azwajan khayran minkunna muslimat mu'minat qanidat ta'ibat abidat sa'ihat thayibat wa abkar
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him), warning that if he were to divorce them, Allah would replace them with wives superior in faith and obedience—those who are submissive (muslimāt), believing (mu'mināt), devoutly obedient (qānitāt), repentant (tā'ibāt), devoted in worship ('ābidāt), and observing fasting (sā'ihāt), whether previously married (thayybāt) or virgins (abkār). Ibn Kathir explains this as a divine reassurance to the Prophet and a reminder to all wives of the importance of piety and obedience, emphasizing that no woman's status is indispensable before Allah except through righteousness.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in response to an incident involving the Prophet's wives, specifically related to his use of honey and personal matters. The ayah occurs within the context of admonishing the wives and establishing the principle that their position depends upon their faith and conduct, not merely their relationship to the Prophet. The broader surah deals with matters of family conduct and the consequences of betraying the Prophet's trust.
Related Hadiths
The incident of the Prophet's wives is referenced in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, where 'Aishah and Hafsah are mentioned in relation to the revelation of this surah. Additionally, the hadith from Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah emphasizes that 'the best of you are those who are best to their families,' relating to the virtue of spousal conduct.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds both spouses that their value and security in marriage lies not in social status or personal expectations, but in their commitment to faith, obedience to Allah, and righteous conduct. It teaches that true honor comes from piety and service to God, a principle applicable to all believers regardless of gender or marital status.